Solutions Library

The E4C Solutions Library is a living database of products and services that are accessible and appropriate for those living in poverty. The data in the Solutions Library is curated technical and market performance information that is normalized across all products, enabling side-by-side comparison and analysis of market influences. Find out more.

[Main focus in Africa] (http://www.ashden.org/files/Barefoot%20full%20winner.pdf “http://www.ashden.org/files/Barefoot%20full%20winner.pdf”), with aims for Asia and America.

Distributors/implementing organizations

[Barefoot Power] (http://www.barefootpower.com/index.php/about-us “http://www.barefootpower.com/index.php/about-us”). [Simba Telecom] (http://www.barefootpower.com/index.php/social-impact/73-uganda-simba-telecom “http://www.barefootpower.com/index.php/social-impact/73-uganda-simba-telecom”) is the biggest mobile phone retailer in East Africa, with more than 30 retail outlets and hundreds of mobile dealers in Uganda. In December 2010, Simba selected the Barefoot Power Firefly Mobile Lamp to provide phone charging capabilities.

[One Renewable Energy Enterprise, Inc.] (http://www.barefootpower.com/index.php/social-impact/85-successful-story-of-one-renewable-energy-inc “http://www.barefootpower.com/index.php/social-impact/85-successful-story-of-one-renewable-energy-inc”) “One Renewable” in the Philippines partnered with Micro Finance Institutions and local Distributors / Contractors to create a livelihood program that provides business opportunities for the community as well as maintain a strong and reliable sales and after sales network.

Available for purchase [directly from the designer] (http://www.ashden.org/winners/Barefoot12 “http://www.ashden.org/winners/Barefoot12”) via in-country distributors and global sales importers in 20 countries. In-country distributors, wholly or partly owned by Barefoot Power, are currently operating in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, and more are planned. Barefoot aims to expand to Asia and Americas (22 countries) to reach 10 million people.

For international sales, the product can be purchased from [Amazon] (http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Power-VLP11S010LI1-Firefly-Lamp/dp/B0080267W0 “http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Power-VLP11S010LI1-Firefly-Lamp/dp/B0080267W0”) or [Urjakart] (http://www.urjakart.com/barefoot-power-firefly-mini-solar-lamp.html “http://www.urjakart.com/barefoot-power-firefly-mini-solar-lamp.html”).

Distribution to date

Performance parameters

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Run time per day of solar charging (hours)

4.2 (“Brightest” setting)

Total light output (lumens)

36 (“Brightest” setting)

Multiple brightness settings (yes/no)

Yes (Low, High)

Total area with illumination > 25 lux (m2)

Unknown

Solar charging time (hrs)

4 - 6

Cell phone charging (yes/no)

Yes

Weather resistant (yes/no)

User replaceable battery (yes/no)

Yes

Lamp type (LED, CFL, etc.)

LED (SMD)

Battery type (LFP, NiMH, etc.)

LFP

Full battery run time (hours)

4.2 (“Brightest” setting)

Battery lifetime (years at x cycles)

3 (cycles unknown)

Solar panel type

Polycrystalline silicon

Light source life (hours)

Unknown

Number of light points

5

Design specifications

[Barefoot Power systems] (http://www.barefootpower.com/index.php/products/item/2-firefly-mini “http://www.barefootpower.com/index.php/products/item/2-firefly-mini”) use a 1W to 15W photovoltaic (PV) module to generate electricity, and a rechargeable battery to store electricity. The solar lamp comes with a rechargeable battery that can be charged with the included solar panel. The rechargeable battery in the lamp will last up to 2 years depending on how the lamp is used. Replacement batteries and LEDs are available. The battery will fully recharge in 4-6 hours, if the panel is placed in direct sunlight. The lamp can be used to provide direct lighting or it can be hung up from its hook to provide ambient light. Comprised of tempered glass front and anodized aluminium frame with 3m long cable.

Product schematics

Unknown

Technical support

List of service stations in Uganda available on Barefoot website. [Service Stations] (http://www.barefootpoweruganda.com/service-stations/ “http://www.barefootpoweruganda.com/service-stations/”) provide servicing for all our Dealers, Entrepreneurs and End users, provided receipts are attached to the product taken to them for servicing/repair/exchange in the case of bad batteries or panels. Technical expertise required to put products into use.

Replacement components

Replacement parts available where sale was made and through Service Stations

The [Comprehensive Initiative on Technology Evaluation (CITE) at MIT] (http://cite.mit.edu/ “http://cite.mit.edu/”) evaluated personal-use solar lanterns available on the market in Uganda and published the results in January 2015. The Firefly received the score of 58/100 and was demonstrated to have poor runtime on high setting. Full findings are available in [their report] (http://cite.mit.edu/reports/solar-lantern-evaluation# “http://cite.mit.edu/reports/solar-lantern-evaluation#”) and as a snapshot synopsis is available in the image included here.

Testing organizations

Lighting Africa and Lighting Global. However, the information is no longer available for view. [Barefoot Power has conducted their own testing] (http://www.barefootpower.com/index.php/about-us “http://www.barefootpower.com/index.php/about-us”) on the product which has met the Light Global recommended Performance Targets and Minimum Quality Standards. Additionally tested by the [Comprehensive Initiative on Technology Evaluation (CITE) at MIT] (http://cite.mit.edu/ “http://cite.mit.edu/”)

Safety

Unknown

Complementary technical systems

Incorporating additional charging components (like radio) and charging capacity, durability and lumen output can help further improve the system.

The Quality Test Method (QTM) is the full test method used to verify comprehensive product performance. Results from QTM testing are used to determine if a product has met the Lighting Global Minimum Quality Standards.

The [Comprehensive Initiative on Technology Evaluation (CITE) at MIT] (http://cite.mit.edu/ “http://cite.mit.edu/”) evaluated personal-use solar lanterns according to comparative framework for evaluation of products, similar to the model used by the U.S. nonprofit organization Consumer Reports along the dimensions of Suitability, Scalability, and Sustainability. Students and faculty collected data on 11 solar lantern models from both field and laboratory tests, as well as through interviews, surveys, and participant observation of product users and Solar Sister distribution agents.

Other information

None

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